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"The skinny: Heading into last season, Roland was expected to be a big-time contributor for the Gamecocks. He was arguably South Carolina's biggest pickup in its 2012 recruiting class, as he was an ESPN 150 member and the nation's No. 5 wide receiver prospect. But the Gamecocks got a lot more production from other players last fall. Roland arrived with a boatload of hype and pure talent, but he didn't exactly have the best work ethic and had to look up the depth chart during the season. This spring, things are wide open at the wide receiver position, so this is a chance for Roland to really make something of himself before fall camp. With Ace Sanders leaving, Bruce Ellington is the Gamecocks' top returning receiver (40 catches for 600 yards and seven touchdowns). Then, you have Damiere Byrd and Nick Jones, who combined for 26 catches for 563 and three touchdowns. There are a lot of bodies to work with at receiver this spring, but there isn't a ton of experience. If the Gamecocks are going to get their passing game going, the coaches are going to need to find someone to complement Ellington on the field. Roland has all the skill to be that guy -- and he could probably be even more -- but he has to improve his work ethic. Roland was named Mr. Football in the state of South Carolina during his senior year, and could be a real monster in South Carolina's offense if things click for him. He has the height that Ellington doesn't have and while he isn't the speed demon Byrd is, he's more of a complete receiver. This offseason will go a long way for Roland, as far has his development and his importance to this team."

I apologize if this has been discussed, but I hadn't heard that Roland had a poor work ethic. I just thought Roland needed some time with the playbook. Anybody have any insight into Roland in 2012?

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I'd like to wrap a green strip around section 506 and then take it off slowly, like I'm disrobing it.

TBS said before the season he didnt put in the work needed to grasp the offense(ie learning the playbook). The notion by TBS reported at the beginning of Winter Workouts is that he has had effort issues being brought forth in workouts and the extra work we know Spurrier says needs to be done. TBS says he has all the talent in the world and is the most athletic WR in the throwing drills they do with the QBs/WRs in the off season but he needs to apply himself. TBS also said it has gotten better due to the competition Shamier Jeffery has brought forth with his extreme desire to be the greatest he can in the weight room and passing drills heading into the spring. We will definitely find out if this is true in the spring, then after a summer break, into the fall/season. Good Luck, Shaq. Give it your all everyday buddy.

A lot of these guys get by in HS on raw ability alone. When you're the best player on your HS team you get treated different and don't have to put forth the effort. Once you get into college everyone is the best player from their HS team so coasting doesn't always work any longer.

College football waits for no one. Next year there will be 2 or 3 new guys who will be looking to take his spot. They couldn't care less if he was Mr. Football.
If he doesn't give 100%, he won't last long. Let's hope he had a big winter and will have a good spring, and solidify a starting spot at WR.....if he's as good as everybody says.

College football waits for no one. Next year there will be 2 or 3 new guys who will be looking to take his spot. They couldn't care less if he was Mr. Football.
If he doesn't give 100%, he won't last long. Let's hope he had a big winter and will have a good spring, and solidify a starting spot at WR.....if he's as good as everybody says.

I personally doubt he would have played as a true freshman if he wasn't working like the coaches wanted him to. He beat out other highly ranked true freshman and many upper classmen to get the reps. He was the most hyped skill player in that class but he wasn't on the level of most of our headliners. I'm thinking all this work stuff is just cover for services that over hyped him or don't understand the normal transition from high school to the SEC.

Shaq is working much harder this Winter than the previous. I compare Shaq in ability to a faster version of Nuke Hopkins. If you look back Hopkins made a huge stride from his Freshman year to his Sophomore year and I expect the same with Roland. As far as Shamier they say he has bought in and is being a leader for the Team. WR position has a chance to be better than ever imo.

This is exactly why recruiting is so important. You can get a very good high school player, but unless you consistently bring in the NEXT one, your roster can become complacent. Without competition on the roster, players can not put in the effort but still be the best at their position, and see the field. This ultimately holds the team back against other SEC powerhouses.

Schools like FLA, ALA ect, don't worry about the work ethic issue because they have the NEXT guy in waiting, player A does not want to work, player B plays just as well.

Yes, players do come on later in their careers, but in the mean time, the entire team suffers if you do not have another guy to replace him so to speak. Melvin is a great example of that, where was the team when he was a Freshman and Sophomore?

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Q:Why did the Rooster cross the road?
A:To kick a Tiger's Ass

If he's going to wear number 4, he needs to be the best wide receiver on the team. Not only on our team, but he needs to be the best WR in the conference or he shouldn't be wearing number 4 at the University of South Carolina. That's Sidney's.

If he's going to wear number 4, he needs to be the best wide receiver on the team. Not only on our team, but he needs to be the best WR in the conference or he shouldn't be wearing number 4 at the University of South Carolina. That's Sidney's.